Brick fireplaces are common across America and around the world. They are aesthetically pleasing, and they provide an economical way to heat your home during the winter. They will also last a lifetime if cared for properly, but they will need to be repaired from time to time. The average homeowner can repair his or her own chimney with little or no trouble at all, and, depending on the size of the project, the amount of time needed will be minimal. Does this Spark an idea?
Remove Loose Debris
Remove any loose mortar or bricks. Crumbling mortar often will remain lodged within the brick chimney. Remove this mortar before attempting to repair or replace with new mortar. Also, many times a broken or cracked brick will need to be replaced because it is unsightly or a danger to the homeowner. Use a brick chisel and a hammer to gently tap the brick loose. Sweep any remaining dust away from the chimney after removal of the larger debris.
Mix the Mud
Use a type N mortar for resetting any loose brick or replacing old, crumbling mortar joints. You will need to match the mortar colors, but your local hardware store employee can assist you in that selection. Mix the mortar preferably in a wheelbarrow at a ratio of 2 to 1. That is, two parts sand to one part mortar. Add about 1 gal. of water to the wheelbarrow, then the sand, then the mortar. You may need to add a little extra or less of each ingredient to get a toothpaste-like consistency. If you are working inside, put your mortar mix into a 5-gal. bucket.
Patch the Fireplace
Using a small pointing brick trowel, place a liberal amount of mud into the brick opening if you are replacing a brick. Insert the brick into the opening and set it level and straight. Cut away any extra mud that pushes out and use a thumb jointer to smooth the mortar joints to match the old joints. If you are just repacking broken mortar joints, then use a full-size mason's trowel to hold the mud just under the mortar joints while you rake the mortar into the joints using the small pointing trowel. Use the slick thumb jointer to smooth the joints.
Tags: mortar joints, will need, jointer smooth, mortar into, small pointing
